The Foreign Ministers of France and Germany called on the leader of the new administration in Syria, Ahmed Al-Shara, “to achieve a peaceful transitional process that represents Syrian society in all its diversity.”
The statement added, “The new Syrian administration indicated in particular that women will be part of the preparatory committee for the National Dialogue Conference that will begin in the coming days, and France and Germany offered their expertise to support the constitutional work resulting from the National Conference.”
The two ministers stressed “the necessary protection of security interests, which includes continuing the fight against ISIS, and also preventing the deployment of the regime’s chemical weapons.”
They also stressed “the necessity of ending the fighting in northern Syria and finding a solution that preserves the security interests of everyone, including our Kurdish partners in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), alongside whom we are fighting ISIS.”
The statement continued: “The authorities also pledged to fight terrorism, host the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons mission soon, and work to protect the Syrian borders.”
He pointed out the commitment of “France and Germany to provide their technical expertise in criminology to strengthen the fight against impunity for the crimes of the Bashar al-Assad regime.”
“Al-Sharaa invites Mikati to visit Syria
The Lebanese Prime Minister announced a call between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers said in a statement: “A call took place yesterday evening between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, during which relations between the two countries, especially emergency files, were discussed.”
The two parties discussed “what the (Lebanese) army was exposed to on the border with Syria in the Bekaa,” where Al-Sharaa confirmed that “the relevant Syrian agencies did everything necessary to restore calm on the border and prevent a recurrence of what happened.”
At the conclusion of the call, Al-Sharaa sent “an invitation to Mikati to visit Syria in order to discuss common files between the two countries and strengthen bilateral relations.”
The Lebanese Army had previously announced, “An armed clash broke out between its members and gunmen at the eastern border in the Maaraboun area located in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, which led to the injury of one of the soldiers.”
He later pointed out the renewal of these clashes, after targeting the Lebanese army. This afternoon, the Lebanese army announced the outbreak of an armed clash between its members and gunmen at the eastern border in the Maaraboun area located in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, which led to the injury of one of the soldiers.
He pointed out that “Syrian militants targeted a military unit with a medium weapon, which led to 4 army members being injured.”
One of the surveillance camera officials in Saydnaya prison was arrested
The Syrian News Agency “SANA” reported, quoting a source in the Ministry of Interior, that “the Public Security Department was able to arrest “one of the surveillance camera officials in Sednaya Prison.”
The source told SANA: “The Public Security Department arrested the criminal, Muhammad Nour al-Din Shalhoum, in the city of Homs during combing operations.”
The source indicated that “Shalhoum” is considered one of the officials in charge of the surveillance cameras in Saydnaya Prison, and the one who participated in disabling the prison’s cameras before the Military Operations Department took control of the area.
The Department of Military Operations in Syria revealed a “confusing document” in which the numbers of prisoners released from Saydnaya Prison and listed on food lists varied by approximately 130,000 people as of last September 30.”
She pointed out that “this number was listed on the food list only 68 days before the prison was opened and the detainees were liberated.”
The Department of Military Operations in Syria added that “the number of those liberated does not exceed 1,000,” wondering, “Where did 130,000 (just in this prison alone) go in 68 days?”
A European delegation visits Saydnaya prison in Damascus
The Syrian news agency SANA reported that “a high-level European delegation visited Saydnaya prison today, Friday, and toured the place as an expression of solidarity with the detainees, the families of the victims, and the missing.”
The agency said in its publication, “A delegation including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noble Barrot, and Chargé d’Affairs of the European Union Mission to Syria, Michael Unmacht, visited the notorious former Sednaya prison, one of the Assad regime’s largest human slaughterhouses.” To view the prison and to express solidarity with the detainees, the families of the victims and the missing.”
The agency explained that “the visit came today, Friday, in coordination with the Syrian Civil Defense, during which the two ministers and the European Union envoy expressed their shock at what they saw of the remnants of the horrors of Saydnaya prison,” affirming their “commitment to achieving justice for the victims and their families, and ensuring that there is no impunity for the perpetrators of torture crimes, and that it is a priority.” This file is for them.”
“Al-Shaibani announces a tour that includes Jordan, Qatar and the Emirates
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani announced his upcoming visits to several Arab countries.
Al-Shaibani wrote through his account on the “X” platform: “I will represent my country, Syria, this week on an official visit to our brothers in the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
He continued: “We look forward to these visits contributing to supporting stability, security, economic recovery, and building distinguished partnerships.”
Last week, Al-Shaibani, accompanied by Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab, visited the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
Last updated: January 4, 2025 – 08:26
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